…swears in six newly appointed RECs
Independent National Electoral Commission has set Saturday, July 20, and Saturday, August 8, 2026 for the conduct of the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, respectively.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced this on Friday, while swearing-in of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners confirmed by the National Assembly recently.
The INEC chairman also said the electoral body is finalising arrangements for bye-elections to fill vacant seats in the National and State Houses of Assembly.
The INEC schedule fixed the conduct of the Ekiti State governorship election for June 20, 2026.
Party primaries, according to INEC, are scheduled for between October 20 and November 10, 2025.
But political parties have been given a deadline of 6pm on December 22, 2025 to upload their nomination forms, while the final list of candidates will be published on January 18, 2026.
INEC added that campaigns for the election will begin on January 21 and end 24 hours before the election.
Yakubu said, “In line with the requirements of the law, the commission is under legal obligation to publish the notices for major elections not later than 360 days before the date fixed for the election.
“In compliance with the law, the commission has approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections. The last governorship elections in the two states were held in June and July 2022. The four-year tenure of the governors will end next year.
“For Ekiti State, the election will be held on Saturday, 20th June 2026. However, party primaries will start on 20th October 2025 and end on 10th November 2025 to enable Political Parties to upload their nomination forms to the dedicated portal which automatically shuts down by 6.00pm on 22nd December 2025, i.e. not later than 180 days before the election.
“The final list of candidates will be published on 18th January 2026 while campaign in public by political parties will commence on 21st January 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.”
The Osun State governorship election is set for August 8, 2026, INEC also said while party primaries will be conducted from November 24 to December 15, 2025.
On February 9,2026, the nomination portal will close finally at 6pm and the final list of candidates will be released on March 9, 2026.
In Osun, political campaigns will run from March 11 until a day before the election.
The INEC chairman added, “In the case of Osun State, the election will be held on Saturday, 8th August 2026. Party primaries will start on 24th November 2025 and end on 15th December 2025.
“The portal for the upload of nomination forms by political parties closes at 6.00pm on 9th February 2026, i.e. not later than 180 days before the election.
“The final list of candidates will be published on 9th March 2026, while campaigning in public by political parties will commence on 11th March 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.”
He also said that the detailed timetable for both elections has already been uploaded to INEC’s website and social media channels for public access and to guide political parties.
INEC has also deployed some Resident Electoral Commissioners in different states of the country.
The new RECs include Sa’ad Idris (Gombe), Johnson Sinikiem (Cross River), Feyijimi Ibiyemi (Ogun), Mukhtar Gajiram (Taraba), Chukwuemeka Ibeziako (Abia) and Umar Garba (Sokoto).
The INEC boss explained that the redeployment was imperative to support the commission’s work ahead of the upcoming elections.
Yakubu added, “With the swearing-in of six RECs today, all vacancies have been filled in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. It is therefore appropriate to start by congratulating the new RECs that have just taken the oath of office.
“The conduct of elections is not only a huge responsibility but also a sacred duty. As RECs, you are the representatives of the commission in the various states to which you will be deployed shortly. The work of the commission is, to say the least, very challenging.
“Together, all six of you have cumulative experience in election administration or the management of public affairs to justify the confidence reposed in you to serve in the high office of REC.”
The commission further stated that although the affected RECs have already been notified administratively, the full list of their new postings will be published shortly on its official website and social media platforms.
Yakubu stressed that the redeployment of RECs is a routine administrative exercise and may occur again as circumstances require.
Advising the RECs, Yakubu added, “As you assume or resume duty, I urge you to focus on your responsibilities. Let me make it clear from the outset that you must at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs as well as the regulations and guidelines governing the commission’s operations.
“Above all, you must always act in good conscience. Do not betray your oath of office. In the best tradition of the Commission, you must engage with stakeholders through regular consultative meetings and must not be impervious to genuine criticisms.
“You must never act independently or think that you can act in violation of the law, regulations and guidelines or defy the commission without consequences. We will hold you accountable for your actions and inactions. We will not hesitate to deal with acts of defiance, indiscretion or transgression on the part of any Resident Electoral Commissioner.”
Speaking on the growing public concerns regarding the delay in conducting pending by-elections and the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration nationwide, Yakubu said the number of pending by-elections has now increased to 17.
The INEC boss assured Nigerians that preparations for both the CVR and by-elections are almost completed and full details will be announced soon.
He added, “The commission is aware of the concern expressed by many Nigerians about the pending bye-elections and the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration nationwide. The number of bye-elections has now risen to 17.
“We are aware of the urgency to commence the CVR, particularly in view of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State. We want to assure Nigerians that we are finalising our preparations for both activities, the details of which will soon be made public.”
While speaking on behalf of the new RECs, Idris reaffirmed their resolve to uphold the constitution of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, and all guidelines and policies of INEC.
He underscored the importance of character and commitment in safeguarding the credibility of elections and expressed their determination to work closely with political parties, civil society groups, the media, and security agencies.
The new RECs, who also highlighted voter education and citizen participation as key priorities, expressed their commitment to ensuring that every vote counts in their respective areas of deployment.
Idris said, “As we assume the new role, we do so with a clear understanding of the weight of the responsibility before us. The role of a REC is central to the integrity of our electoral process and the sustenance of democracy.
“We are fully aware that the credibility of elections rests not only on systems and structures but also on character and commitment entrusted to manage them. I therefore want to assure the entire commission and indeed the Nigerian people of our total dedication and loyalty to the values and objectives of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“We pledge to discharge our duties with utmost integrity, impartiality, and professionalism. We are committed to upholding the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, and the Guidelines Regulations and all policies of the Commission in all circumstances.”
